Dr. Theodore Leigh Anderson, age 95, peacefully went to be with the Lord on August 31st, 2024. Born on January 23rd, 1929, to Henry Lyle and Marjorie Ann (Shaw) Anderson, Ted lived a full and vibrant life and brought endless joy to his patients, family and friends.
Ted was born in Arnold, Nebraska and graduated from Arnold High School with the class of 1947, then joined the United States Navy, spending four years aboard the destroyer U.S.S. Ozbourne during the Korean War. Upon returning home, he attended Kearney State College, where he met and married Shirley Reye Johnson on December 27th, 1956. After graduating, he attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln College of Dentistry, receiving his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree in June of 1961.
He and Shirley then moved to Lexington, Nebraska, where he began practicing dentistry. He was widely known as a gentle and caring dentist, and was inducted into the International College of Dentists in 1976. He and Shirley moved to Lincoln, Nebraska in 1992 to be closer to their four children and he began teaching at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln College of Dentistry.
Ted remained lifelong friends with his College of Dentistry Class of 1961, keeping in touch with them and their spouses through phone calls, letters, visits and many organized reunions, which he enjoyed tremendously. He was a devoted and loving husband and a wise and patient father and grandfather.
He is survived by his four children: Shari Anderson, Todd (Katie Meininger) Anderson, Terry (Kelli) Anderson and Lori (Philip) Rush; seven grandchildren: Walker Anderson, Chase Anderson, Tate Anderson, Kaia Anderson, Max Rush, Eliot Anderson and Ben Rush. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Shirley, his parents, and his sister and brothers, Margilu, Bob and Jim.
A celebration of Ted’s life will be held at 1:00 pm on Friday, September 6th at Saint Paul United Methodist Church, 1144 M St, Lincoln, Nebraska. Entombment with U.S. Navy Military Honors will be held at 3:30 pm at Lincoln Memorial Funeral Home & Cemetery, 6800 S 14th St, Lincoln, Nebraska.
